Meet Unisa’s youngest and brightest “student”

Little Botshelo Mankuroane is a TikTok sensation who shot to fame after a video of a conversation between her and her mom, a Unisa student, Boitumelo Thelma Mankuroane, went viral. The conversation took place one morning when Boitumelo was getting her toddler ready for pre-school.

Before leaving the house, Boitumelo noticed that Botshelo’s had put her Unisa assignments in her school backpack. Intrigued by how Botshelo could possibly justify taking the Unisa materials to school, Boitumelo quickly reached for her phone to record their conversation. Engaging little Botshelo, who was three years old at the time of recording (she is now four), Boitumelo asked: “Where are you taking my books?” Little Botshelo explained in brief that, “…it is Unisa…” Probing further, her mom asked, “So, where are you taking Unisa?”  she responded: “I want to show my teacher.” Boitumelo then asks the toddler if she wants to show her teacher that she is a student at Unisa, and Botshelo nods in agreement.

Watch their conversation here:

The video went viral on TikTok, making it their most watched video on their account. Many amused viewers republished the video, commending little Botshelo for her clear determination towards her studies at Unisa. Some also said the video was all the inspiration they needed to get studying and working on their assignments. Boitumelo was also hailed for the calm manner in which she engaged her daughter in a situation in which many said they would have panicked at the thought of losing their assignments.

Boitumelo is currently doing her second year towards a Diploma in IT at Unisa. Asked how little Botshelo knows about Unisa, she said: “I’m a student at Unisa. Whenever I study or write assignments, I always explain to Botshelo that I’m currently busy with books.  I also am always talking about Unisa in our daily conversation about her day at pre-school. This is something I do as a way of instilling a desire to learn and study further.” Boitumelo also says that she has already seen that Botshelo likes learning and she wants to keep her motivated as she believes it boosts her confidence.

Boitumelo Thelma Mankuroane and her daughter Botshelo

Given Botshelo’s confidence, Boitumelo thinks that she will one day be a public figure. Asked which career she thinks would be suitable for Botshelo, she said: “Given her personality, she would do very well on TV, in parliament, or even in court, because she’s a very bubbly and bold child.”

 Benefits of studying through Unisa

Boitumelo has her hands full with many responsibilities as a mom with a full-time job, a wife, and a pastor. She explained that studying through Unisa has enabled her to advance her education without compromising on all the other responsibilities she has. “Studying through Unisa is an advantage to me and my family because I do most of my work online and this allows me to still perform my duties as a wife, mom, pastor, and employee without failure.”

Encouraging other moms studying at Unisa who feel that they are on the verge of giving up their studies, Boitumelo said: “Giving up is not an option at all. I remember that last year, when Botshelo was three years old, I was heavily pregnant and due for delivery a few weeks before exams. I remember how I wanted to deregister as I was under pressure. I chose, however, to keep pressing on and I knew God was on my side. I managed to pass all my modules with 8 distinctions out of 10.  I would like to encourage you with this scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:8 – Finishing is better than starting. You will finish well, do not give up.”

Follow the Mankuroane family on social media:

TikTok @tshelo_tshego_mankuroane

*By Tshimangadzo Mphaphuli, Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement